Bale weight measurement device

ABSTRACT

A baler for forming a bale includes a frame, an axle, and a sensor. The frame supports a bale chamber. The axle is connected to the frame at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a second location. The sensor is positioned to measure the deflection of the axle based on a distance. The deflection of the axle changes based upon a weight of the bale.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No.15/975,171, titled Bale Weight Measurement Device, filed May 9, 2018which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a system for determining the weight ofa bale and protecting the parts of a baler utilized in bale weighing.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The weight of a bale is information desired by operators. Theinformation can be used to evaluate the yield in a particular field. Inaddition, based on pre-stored data or operator experience, theinformation can indicate a moisture level of the harvested bale. Inorder to transport multiple bales, summing bales with various weightswill help the user to plan loads for transportation within theacceptable maximum weight limits. There is a need for a more accuratebale weight apparatus and system, with the protection for parts of abaler utilized in bale weighing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description and accompanyingdrawings. This summary is not intended to identify key or essentialfeatures of the appended claims, nor is it intended to be used as an aidin determining the scope of the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a baler for forming abale includes a frame, an axle, a sensor, and at least one overloadstop. The frame supports a bale chamber. The axle is connected to theframe at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a secondlocation. The sensor is positioned to measure the deflection of theaxle. The deflection of the axle changes based upon a weight of thebale. The at least one overload stop is positioned on one of the axleand the frame to limit the deflection of the axle relative to the frame.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a baler for forming abale includes a frame, axle housing, first and second spindles, first,second, and third sensors, a linkage, and a processing unit. The framesupports a bale chamber. The first spindle is partially surrounded bythe axle housing, and is spaced apart from the axle housing. The secondspindle is partially surrounded by the axle housing, and is spaced apartfrom the axle housing. The first sensor is positioned at one of the axlehousing and the first spindle, and is configured to detect a firstdeflection of the first spindle based upon a first distance between thefirst spindle and the axle housing. The second sensor is positioned atone of the axle housing and the second spindle, and is configured todetect a second deflection of the second spindle based upon a seconddistance between the second spindle and the axle housing. The linkage iscoupled to a front portion of the frame, and is partially surrounded bya linkage housing. The linkage is spaced apart from the linkage housing.The third sensor is coupled to the linkage, and is configured to detecta third deflection of the linkage. The processing unit is connected tothe first, second, and third sensors, and is configured to calculate aweight of the bale based upon the the detected first, second, and thirddeflections.

A method of measuring a weight of a baler in a baler may include includedetermining a first deflection of an axle via a sensor; forming a balein the baler; detecting a second deflection of the axle via the sensor;comparing the first and second deflections of the axle to calculate theweight of the bale; and limiting the deflection of the axle within apre-determined amount via an overload stop.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of thedetailed description and accompanying drawings.

These and other features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description and accompanying drawings, wherein various featuresare shown and described by way of illustration. The present disclosureis capable of other and different configurations and its several detailsare capable of modification in various other respects, all withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thedetailed description and accompanying drawings are to be regarded asillustrative in nature and not as restrictive or limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description of the drawings refers to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a baler;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the baler;

FIG. 3A is an exploded view of an axle housing, an axle, an overloadstop, and other components;

FIG. 3B is an exploded view of the axle housing, the axle, anotherembodiment of an overlaod stop, and other components;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of axle housing,axle, and sensor;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a sensordetecting the deflection outside of the axle;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of sensordetecting the deflection within the axle;

FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an overloadstop;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a clevis arrangement of a linkage of thebaler;

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a clevisarrangement and a sensor of a linkage of the baler; and

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of measuring a weight ofa bale under one of timing options.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a round baler 10 includes a frame 12 and an axlehousing 20 coupled to the frame 12. An axle 22 is coupled to the frame12, axle housing 20, or both and is partially surrounded by the axlehousing 20. The frame 12 is supported on a pair of ground engagingdevices, such as wheels 14, coupled to the axle 22. A linkage or drafttongue 30 is coupled to the frame 12 (or front wall 124) and includes aclevis arrangement 32 adapted for being coupled to a towing vehicle (notshown).

The frame 12 includes an enclosure 122 formed at least in part by afront wall 124, two side walls 126, and a discharge gate 128, whichpivots vertically about a horizontal pivot arrangement 127 located at anupper rear location of the side walls 126. A gate cylinder arrangement(not shown) is coupled between the frame 12 and side walls 129 of thedischarge gate 128 and is selectively operable for moving the dischargegate 128 between a lowered baling position and an opened dischargeposition. The discharge gate 128 remains at the lowered baling positionwhen a bale B is forming and then moves to the opened discharge positionwhen the bale B completes its wrapping process and is at an appropriateplace to release the bale B (not shown).

The baler 10 includes a bale forming chamber 123. The baler 10 may be avariable or fixed chamber baler. The baler 10 includes a plurality oflongitudinally extending side-by-side belts 134 supported on a pluralityof rollers 132 (only a few of which are shown). The variable or fixedbale forming chamber 123 is defined by the side walls 126, 129, therollers 132 and the belts 134.

The baler 10 as illustrated is a variable chamber design, wherein cropis rolled up in a spiral fashion in a nip formed between oppositelymoving adjacent loops of belts 134. When the baler 10 moves across theground and a supplying device 16 of baler keeps conveying the crops fromthe ground, the space between adjacent loops of belts 134 grows as theforming bale B grows larger. Accordingly, a belt tensioning device 136is provided to take up slack in the belts 134 as needed. Thus theposition of the tensioning device 136, at any given time, is anindication of the size of the bale B at that time. A bale diametersensor (not shown) in the form of a potentiometer is affixed to thepivot point of the tensioning device 136 and thus provides an electricalsignal correlating with bale diameter to an processing unit orElectronic Control Unit (ECU) 50. The processing unit 50 is provided forelectronically controlling and monitoring a number of functions of thebaler 10. For example, the processing unit 50 in addition to monitoringbale size and other functions, can further be adapted for triggering atwine or wrapping cycle, opening the discharge gate, initiating baledischarge, controlling the application of preservative to the bate andfor communicating crop moisture content and other information to theuser. In addition, the processing unit 50 may be used for determiningthe weight of a bale as described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the axle housing 20, in this embodiment,includes a first housing 24 and a second housing 26 positioned oppositeto one another. The axle 22 includes a first spindle 222 and a secondspindle 226. The first spindle 222 is partially surrounded by the firsthousing 24 and the second spindle 226 partially surrounded by the secondhousing 26. The clevis arrangement 32 includes a hitch housing 322 and ahitch rod 324 surrounded by the hitch housing 322. The baler 10 furtherincludes multiple sensors 40 (will be shown in FIGS. 3A-7B), including afirst sensor 42, a second sensor 44, and a third sensor 46. In thisembodiment, the multiple sensors 40 detect or measure a space or gapbetween the first and second spindles 222, 226 and the first and secondhousings 24, 26 and between the hitch housing 322 and the hitch rod 324.The sensors 40 may be optical, inductive, hall effect, and/or othermeans of sensors. The sensors 40 may not only used for detectingdistance that may reflect to deflections of spindles or hitch rod, butthe sensors may be used for detecting the deflection indirectly, ordirectly, such as strain gages (load cells). Detail structures of axlehousing, axle, and sensors will be delineated in later description. Itis noted that the number and the location of the sensors are shown anddescribed by way of illustration, the sensors may also be applied tojust one of spindle housing/spindle, one spindle housing/spindle and onehitch housing/hitch rod, or any other configurations.

FIGS. 4A and 4B demonstrate sensors that measure the distances changedbetween the spindles and housing to obtain the deflection of thespindles. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4A, in this embodiment, the firstspindle 222 and the second spindle 226 are symmetric to each other, andthe first housing 24 and the second housing 26 are symmetric to eachother, so these two sets are shown with reference numbers adjacent toeach other.

The first housing 24 has a first connecting portion 242, a first innersurface 244, and a first opening 246. The first connecting portion 242extends radially at one end (inner end) of the first housing 24 to forma substantially square shape with an opening at the center for the firstspindle 222 to insert into the first housing 24. Adjacent to the fourcorners of the first connecting portion 242 are four apertures forfasteners or other means to fix the first housing 24 on the frame 12.The first spindle 222 is partially surrounded by the first inner surface244. The first spindle 222 is connected to the first housing 24 at afirst location L1 and spaced apart from the first housing 24 at a secondlocation L2. At the second location L2, a portion of the first spindle222 can extend radially outward more than adjacent portions of thespindle. The first and second spindles 222, 226 can include one or moredifferent diameters along the axial length of the spindles. For example,the spindles 222, 226 can include a larger diameter portion at the firstand second locations and smaller diameter portions between the first andsecond locations and axially outward of the second location. The firstopening 246 is located at the other end (outer end) of the first housing24. The first inner surface radially protrudes a pair of first mountingplatforms 245 (only shown one of the first mounting platforms in FIG.3A).

An outer portion of the first spindle 222 passes through the firstopening 246 and is coupled to one of the ground engaging wheels 14. Thefirst spindle 222 includes a first groove 223 adjacent to the inner endof the first spindle 222. The bottom of the first groove 223 may includemultiple edges 224. The baler 10 further includes a first mounting plate23 having multiple edges 232. A portion of the first mounting plate 23is inserted into the first groove 223, with the corresponding edges 224,232 contacting each other to limit the movement between the firstmounting plate 23 and the first spindle 222. The first mounting plate 23is coupled to the first mounting platforms via fasteners or other means.

A first distance or first radial deflection gap d1 is between the firstspindle 222 and the first housing 24. Because of the weight of the baler10, with or without the bale B, the first spindle 222 deflects indifferent degrees and therefore the first distance d1 is related to theweight of the baler 10 and bale B. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A,4A, the first sensor 42 is positioned in the first housing to detect thefirst distance d1. Alternatively, FIG. 4B demonstrates a cross-sectionalview of another embodiment of the axle housing, axle, and sensor. Inthis embodiment, the first sensor 42 is positioned within the firstspindle 222 to detect the first distance d1. Because FIGS. 4A, 4Bdemonstrate the first sensor 42 positioned at lower portion adjacent tothe first opening 246 of first housing 24 or first spindle 222, if theload of the baler increases, the first distance d1 detected by the firstsensor 42 will increase until the upper portions adjacent to the firstopening 246 of the first housing 24 (or an overload stop 28 discussedlater) and first spindle 222 contact. Alternatively, if the first sensor42 is positioned at upper portion adjacent to the first opening 246 ofthe first housing 24 or first spindle 222 (not shown) and if the load ofthe baler increases, the first distance d1 detected by the first sensor42 will decrease until the upper portions adjacent to the first opening246 of the first housing 24 (or an overload stop 28 discussed in moredetail below) and first spindle 222 contact. It is noted that thisembodiment illustrates the distance between the first spindle 222 andthe first housing 24 reflecting a deflection of the the first spindle222 is merely an example. The deflection may include any other kinds offormats.

The detected results will be transmitted to the processing unit 50 tocalculate the weight of the bale B. The processing unit 50 may utilizethe deflections of the first spindle 222 when the bale B is still in thebaler 10, cross-referencing a pre-stored calibration data to determinethe weight of the bale B. Or alternatively, when the bale B is still inthe baler 10, the processing unit 50 may receive the deflectioninformation of the first spindle 222 to determine the total weight ofthe baler 10 and the bale B. After the bale B is discharged from thebaler 10, then the processing unit 50 may receive the deflectioninformation of the spindle 222 to determine the weight of the baler 10.The weight of the bale B which had been just discharged will becalculated by comparing the weights of the baler 10 with and without thebale B. In regards to the information from other sensors such as thesecond sensor 44 and the third sensor 46, the processing unit 50 mayutilize either approach to determine the weight of the bale B. Theprocessing unit 50 may utilize the output or measurements of the one ormore first, second, and third sensors 42, 44, 46 to determine the weightof the baler 10 and the bale B. In one embodiment, the processing unit50 utilizes the measurements of all three sensors 42, 44, 46 todetermine the weight of the baler 10 with the bale B and the weight ofthe empty baler 10 without the bale B.

FIGS. 4C and 4D illustrates sensors that measure the deflections of thespindles. Referring to 4C, the first sensor 42, for example, a load cellattaches to an external surface of the spindle 222. The first sensor 42can be positioned between the first location L1 and the second locationL2, including the second location L2.

Referring to 4D, in this embodiment, the first sensor 42 is an internalsensor positioned within the spindle 222. The first sensor 42 isconfigured to measure the deflection of the spindle 222 or indirectlymeasure an object (shown in dash line) which deflects together with thespindle 222.

Optionally, at least an overload stop 28, such as a fastener in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, protrudes or extends from the firstinner surface 244 toward the first spindle 222. Accordingly, a range ofthe first distance d1 detected by the first sensor 42 is reduced becausethe overload stop 28 limits the deflection of the first spindle 222 andprevents the first spindle 222 from contacting the upper portionadjacent to the first opening 246 of the first housing 24. There aremany circumstances that the overload stop 28 is utilized to limit suchdeflection, including but not limited to (1) crops that have moredensity such that the first spindle 222 deflects to contact the firsthousing 24 even before the baling is completed; (2) crops that may havemore moister such that the first spindle 222 deflects to contact thefirst housing 24 even before the baling is completed; (3) when the baler10 is moving or traveling, a sudden acceleration or brake may cause thefirst spindle 222 and the first housing 24 quickly approaching to oneanother; and (4) when the baler 10 is moving or traveling, a bumpingroad condition that may cause the baler 10 move suddenly; and (5) whenthe baler 10 is moving or traveling on a ramp. The overload stopprevents the spindle of the axle from mechanical fatigue. It is notedthat the limitation of the deflection of the first spindle 222 isadjustable via rotating the fastener, for example. In addition, thenumber of the overload stop 28 can vary. Multiple overload stops canprotrude or extend from one of the first spindle 222 and first housing24. The multiple overload stops may be positioned surround the spindle222 to provide 360 degrees protection from mechanical fatigue.Alternatively, the overload stop 28 can be a ring shape as shown inFIGS. 3B and 4E. The overload stop 28 can be a ring shape elementattaching either on the first housing 24 or first spindle 222, or itprotrudes or extends from either the first housing 24 or the firstspindle 222 and is spaced apart from the other to allow a limiteddeflection of the spindle.

Referring to FIGS. 4C-4D, the overload stop 28 and the variationthereof, may be similar to the overload stop(s) described above. Theoverload stop(s) may also protect the first sensor 42 such as loadcells. The load cells in this embodiment are strain-gage load cells.With the development of strain-gage load cells, it is available tomeasure very small strain, expressed by the unit of microstrain (με).The strain-gage load cells with high sensitivity (high gage factor, GF)may be proned to be damaged when the spindles they attached deflectbeyond a durable range. Therefore, the overload stop(s) 28 limiting thedeflection of the first spindle 222 may also help prolong the life ofthe first sensor 42, in this embodiment.

Optionally, a first seal 248 is positioned at the outer end of the firsthousing 24 and the first spindle 222. The first seal 248 is coupled tothe first opening 246 and the first spindle 222. The first seal 248prevents dust or other objects from entering into the first opening 246.In this regard, dust or other objects will not influence the accuracy ofthe detection and the weight of the bale B can be calculated moreaccurately.

In this embodiment, because the first spindle 222 and the second spindle226 are symmetric to each other, and the first housing 24 and the secondhousing 26 are symmetric to each other, reference numbers of second set,including the second spindle 226, second groove 227, edge 228, secondmounting plate 25, edge 252, second housing 26, second connectingportion 262, second inner surface 264, second mounting platform 265,second opening 266, second seal 268, second distance or second radialdeflection gap d2, second sensor 44, are illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 4A-4Dand adjacent to the corresponding reference numbers of the first set.There is no description for the second set.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, as previously described, the clevis arrangement32 includes the hitch housing (linkage housing) 322 and the hitch rod(shaft) 324 partially surrounded by the hitch housing 322. Whenassembled, the front/forward end (right end shown in FIGS. 5, 6) andrear end (left end shown in FIGS. 5, 6) of the hitch rod 324 are outsidethe hitch housing 322. The front end of the hitch rod 324 is locatedwithin the clevis 326. A portion adjacent to the rear end of the hitchrod 324 includes multiple edges 325 on its surface. The clevisarrangement 32 further includes a locking plate 327 affixed to the rearend of the hitch housing 322 via at least one nut and bolt. The lockingplate 327 is coupled to the hitch rod 324. The locking plate 327includes multiple edges 329, the number and shape of which arecorresponding to those of the edges 325 of the hitch rod 324. Due to theengaged relationship between the edges 325 of the hitch rod 324 and theedges 329 of the locking plate 327, the movement between locking plate327 and the hitch rod 324 is limited.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, a third distance or linkage gap d3 isbetween the hitch housing 322 and the hitch rod 324. Because of theweight of the baler 10, with the forming bale B, finished bale B orwithout the bale B, the hitch rod 324 deflects in different degrees andtherefore the third distance d3 is related to the weight of the baler 10and the bale B. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7A, the thirdsensor 46 is positioned in the hitch housing 324 to detect the thirddistance d3. Alternatively, FIG. 7B demonstrates a cross-sectional viewof a clevis arrangement and sensor of a linkage of the baler. In thisembodiment, the third sensor 46 is positioned at the hitch rod 324 todetect the third distance d3. It is noted that the third sensor 46 mayalso be located at different positions such as a tractor drawbar, tongueweldment, or frame. It is noted that this embodiment illustrates thethird distance between the hitch housing 322 and the hitch rod 324reflecting a deflection of the hitch rod 324 is merely an example.Alternatively, the third sensor 46 can also be a strain-gage load cell.

In this embodiment, the processing unit 50 receives the deflectioninformation from each of the individual sensors 40 including the firstsensor 42, second sensor 44, and third sensor 46. The weight of the balewill be determined via the processing unit 50 by using the deflectionmeasurements. In this regard, the measurement of the bale weight is moreaccurate by measuring the deflection of one or more weight bearingmembers within a structurally acceptable range of deflection for themember.

Optionally, a third seal 328 is coupled to the hitch housing 322 and thehitch rod 324. The third seal 328 prevents dust or other objects fromentering into the opening space between the hitch housing 322 and thehitch rod 324. In this regard, dust or other debris does not influencethe accuracy of the detection and the weight of the bale B is calculatedmore accurately.

With reference to FIG. 8, a method of measuring a weight of a bale isintroduced.

Step 1 includes forming a bale in the baler.

Step 2 may include selecting two timing options—option (a) and option(b)—to weighing process/deflection gap (distance) detection. It is notedthat this embodiment illustrates the deflection gap/distance applied tothe deflection of axle(s) is only for demonstration. The deflection mayinclude any other kinds of formats.

Option (a) includes performing the weighing process/deflection gapdetection before the bale is ejected/discharged. The baler is stationarywith only minimal movement noise from belts and bale turning. Foraccuracy, this process may be performed when the discharge gate isclosed. Alternatively, this process can be performed when the dischargegate is open.

Option (b) includes performing the weighing process/deflection gapdetection before the bale is ejected/discharged and after the bale isdischarged with the discharge gate closed. Alternatively, this processcan be performed when the discharge gate is open.

Step 3 (a) includes detecting load from one or more sensor. The step mayinclude detecting at least one deflection gap that reflects thedeflection of an axle from one or more sensors. In step 3 (a), the atleast one deflection gap is detected once during the wrapping process.Step 3 (a) includes detecting at least one radial deflection gap betweenthe axle and an axle housing surrounding the axle via at least onesensor when the bale is forming or formed. In this embodiment, the axleincludes a first and second spindles; the axle housing includes a firsthousing and a second housing. The at least one radial deflection gapincludes a first radial deflection gap (first distance) between thefirst spindle and a first housing and a second radial deflection gap(second distance) between a second spindle and a second housing.

Step 3 (b) includes detecting load from one or more sensor. This stepmay include detecting at least one deflection gap from one or moresensors. In step 3 (b), the least one deflection gap is detectedtwice—once during the wrapping process (or the wrapping process iscompleted) and once after the wrapped bale is discharged. In thisembodiment, the weight of the baler with the bale distributed among thefirst spindle, second spindle, and hitch to cause deflections of thosethree elements and the deflection gaps between those three elements andtheir housings are changed and detected by the sensors. There aremultiple factors influencing the amount of deflection, including thelocations of fulcrums, the length of the arms that forces applied, theYoung's modulus of those three elements, the positions of those threeelements, whether the baler is moving or performing its function likewrapping. Those factors may have corresponding values of parameters thatwill be utilized by the processing unit in later step.

Step 4 (a) includes loads comparison between prestored load and detectedload. The step may include comparing the at least one deflection gapwith other information to calculate the weight of the bale. Step 4 (a)includes comparing the at least one deflection gap detected before thebale is discharged with pre-stored deflection gap information, withreference to other pre-stored values of parameters for calibration, todetermine the weight of the bale via the processing unit. The pre-storedinformation may include various material properties of the deflectingmembers, including information necessary to convert the deflection ofthe members to a force or weight. The pre-stored information may includethe weight of the baler without the bale (empty weight).

Step 4 (b) includes loads comparison between two detected loads. Thestep may include comparing the at least one deflection gap detectedbefore the bale is discharged with the deflection gap detected after thebale is discharged to determine the weight of the bale via theprocessing unit.

In order to prevent the axle from over deflecting, Step 3 may includelimiting changes in deflections in a pre-determining deflection viaoverload stops protruding from the axle housing toward the axle and/orprotruding from the hitch housing toward the hitch rod.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments or implementations and is not intended to be limiting of thedisclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the any use ofthe terms “has,” “have,” “having,” “include,” “includes,” “including,”“comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or the like, in thisspecification, identifies the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not precludethe presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

One or more of the steps or operations in any of the methods, processes,or systems discussed herein may be omitted, repeated, or re-ordered andare within the scope of the present disclosure.

While the above describes example embodiments of the present disclosure,these descriptions should not be viewed in a restrictive or limitingsense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications which maybe made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A baler for forming a bale, comprising: a framesupporting a bale chamber; an axle connected to the frame at a firstlocation and spaced apart from the frame at a second location; and asensor positioned to measure the deflection of the axle based on adistance, the deflection of the axle changing based upon a weight of thebale; wherein the frame comprises a housing at least partiallysurrounding the axle, the sensor positioned to detect a change in thedistance between the axle and the housing due to the deflection of theaxle.
 2. The baler of claim 1, wherein the housing surrounds the axleand at least partially encloses the sensor.
 3. The baler of claim 2,wherein the housing comprises a seal positioned at the interface betweenthe housing and the axle enclosing the sensor and a portion of the axle.4. The baler of claim 1, wherein the axle includes a portion at thesecond location which extends radially outward more than an adjacentportion of the axle.
 5. The baler of claim 1, wherein the axle comprisesa spindle fixedly attached to the frame and operatively connected to aground engaging device.
 6. The baler of claim 1, further comprising: aprocessing unit operatively connected to the sensor and configured tocalculate a weight of the bale based upon changes in the deflection ofthe axle as measured by the sensor.
 7. A baler for forming a bale,comprising: a frame supporting a bale chamber; an axle connected to theframe at a first location and spaced apart from the frame at a secondlocation; a sensor positioned to measure the deflection of the axlebased on a distance, the deflection of the axle changing based upon aweight of the bale; and at least one mounting plate, wherein the frameincludes a housing at least partially surrounding the axle, from aninner surface of the housing radially protrudes at least one mountingplatform, the axle includes a groove, a portion of the mounting plateinserted into the groove of the axle and the mounting plate is coupledto the at least one mounting platform.
 8. The baler of claim 7, whereinthe bottom of the groove includes multiple first edges, the at least onemounting plate includes multiple second edges, the first edges andsecond edges contact to one another to limit the mounting plate movingrelative to the axle.